After
much research into herbal wormers and wormer compounds for goats,
dogs, cats, horses and other animals, I have found that most
of the herbal wormer and dewormer products available on the market today
indicate that they should be used weekly, and are safe for pregnant
and lactating animals. These formulas all contain Wormwood,
which is not considered safe, by Herbalists, for use
while pregnant and not recommended for use while breast feeding.
(Please read these extended safety notes regarding Wormwood.) Since herbs are not drugs, herbal wormers and worm formulas
do not legally have to carry milk withdrawal information or
pregnancy warnings. Since some other herbal wormers and worm
formulas say they are safe, they are either: taking advantage
of this loop hole; they are either mistaken as to the safety
of Wormwood (perhaps mistakenly thinking that all herbs are
safe in all situations); or these formulas contain so little
Wormwood that they will not be effective for the use they are
intended. Wormwood is a herb, and not a drug, and it has not
been officially studied by the FDA to discover if there is should
be a milk withdrawal time or whether it is safe for pregnant
animals. Because of this, you can legally say there is no official
safely issue, but research into the use of herbs will show you
it should not be use on pregnant humans, or animals.

Wormwood is a safe dewormer when used properly, but the continuous,
long term use of small doses of wormwood, (every week- exactly
how other wormers and worm compounds prescribe it) can be
harmful to an animal's kidneys, liver and nervous system. Wormwood can be
used safely on animals in larger doses, on an occasional basis
(every 6-8 weeks). Because of this I originated a new concept in herbal worming methods, and I created a new system using two herbal worm formulas that work in conjunction
with each other: the Formula #1 Herbal Wormwood
Combination and the Formula #2 Herbal
Weekly Worm Formula & Tonic.

Most
herbal wormers, dewormers and worm products also contain laxative herbs;
my formulas do not. The idea behind using laxatives is to flush
out parasites by loosening stool and stimulating bowel movement.
However, this approach adds stress to the animal's system and
may lead to laxative dependency. If constipation is associated
with a worm infestation (which very rarely happens) you could
administer Slippery Elm, which aids in lubricating
the digestive tract without pulling needed fluids from the body.

Please
note that this type of worm formula is used in a Holistic manner. Holistic therapies address the health of the entire animal
(or human) by slowly and surely balancing the systems of the
body, strengthening the immune system, and preventing disease.
Because of this, you need to understand that herbal wormers
are also used as a preventative, as opposed to just waiting until
you have a major problem or infestation. This system
is intended to be used all year round; do not quit
using it in the winter. Please
read this: Understanding using
herbs.

Molly's Herbals Worm Formula:
The original two part system, works holistically in multiple ways.

By expelling live worms: the worms hate being around the herb so much they would rather leave the host than be around the herb. Because of this, you may see worms in the animal's poops after they have been wormed.

By killing and expelling the parasites.

By helping the animal build a stronger immune system so they can more easily fight an infestation.

Working as a preventive: By helping the animal build a stronger immune system so that they can resist the parasite and thus not become infected in the first place. Healthy animals are much less likely to get infected than unhealthy ones.

There has been no evidence to show that worms build up resistance to this herbal system like they can do with Chemical and Drug wormers.

Molly's Herbals Worm Formula is a two part system and, when used as recommended, is safe to administer to pregnant and lactating animals.

Formula
#1 Wormwood Combination: Administer
once a day for 3 days in a row. Repeat every 6-8 weeks. Use
in conjunction with Formula #2. (Formula #2 being given
once a week the other 7 weeks)

Formula
#2 Weekly
Worm Formula & Tonic: Administer
once per week on the weeks you do not give the Wormwood Combination.
Intended to be used in conjunction with Formula #1.

NOTE: During the time an animal is pregnant, Formula 2# is substituted for Formula 1# . The day after the animal gives birth, Formula 1# is then administered for three days in a row no matter where in the cycle they currently are.

When worming Kids: I administer the three day dose starting at 3 weeks of age and repeating every 3-4 weeks until the kids are 6 months of age, then I then begin them on the 8 week cycle. If you see any diarrhea, immediately administer Formula 1# three days in a row. I have found this also helps prevent coccidiosis.

Other Notes:

Administer every week on a continuing bases as recommended. Do not discontinue in the Winter.

Extra herb may, and should, be giving if the situation warrants it; always be aware of your animal's particular needs.

Always
worm a new animal the day they come onto your farm since you have no idea of what kind of care they received before coming to your farm.

Always worm the day after an animal gives birth. You do this because the stress of labor and birth lowers her resources making her more susceptible worms and also, the hormones released at kidding can "arouse" dormant parasites that may be in her system.

Formula
#1 Wormwood
Combination Dietary Suppliment * : None...BUT take
note... Because
this is an herb mixture and not a drug, it has not been
studied by the FDA and can legally be labeled as having no
milk withholding time/withdrawal. BUT since
Formula #1 contains Wormwood (see the Safety
Note below), and
Wormwood is not recommended by many Herbalists for breast
feeding humans, you may decided that if
you are feeding the milk to very young human infants (under
6 months of age or so), just to be absolutely "safe
and sure ",
to withhold the wormwood milk from the infant for 24 hours.
The milk is perfectly
safe for older human children and adults, as it is for
the offspring of the lactating animal. If you decide to
withhold, just save enough milk to last the infant child
an extra day and use the 24 hour withdrawal milk for your
own drinking or to make cheese. It's not like you have
to throw it out.

Formula
#2 Weekly
Worm Formula & Tonic: None

Safety
Notes:

Used
as directed, this combination system is safe for all pregnant
and lactating animals. (The
Wormwood Combination is not given to pregnant does)

Formula
#1 Wormwood
Combination Dietary Suppliment *Safety
Notes:

Since
this is an herb mixture and
not a drug, it can legally be labeled
as safe to use in animals when pregnant
(which is what most other herbal wormers)
BUT since this formula contains Wormwood,
which is an "Emmenagogue" (An
emmenagogue is an herb which encourages
menstrual bleeding, and so it could
induce loss of uterine lining which may
cause miscarriage.) it is not considered
safe by Herbalists for use in pregnant
humans or animals. I recommend not give
to pregnant animals. If you are using
another herbal worm product, read the
label or find out what is in it before
you buy it, and if it contains Wormwood,
you should take this into consideration.
You should use Formula #1 right before
breeding and then start using it again
the day after the animal gives birth.

The
chemical name for the principle
active ingredient in wormwood is thujone. Thujone is a monoterpene
(type of primary alcohol found
in plant matter) that
is often attributed with having a
hallucinogenic effect. The
liquor Absinthe, the
popular in the 19th century, known
for its mind-altering effects,
is made with Wormwood. Wormwood is
not recommended for
breastfeeding mothers because thujone
might be passed to the baby in the mothers
milk, though this has not been studied.

Excessive amounts of Wormwood can be damaging to the liver, kidneys, and nervous system. Do not use in animals who suffer from seizures, kidney problems, or liver disease.

Black Walnut, if ingested in excessive amounts, in dogs and cats, may lead to diarrhea and gastritis.

The following are some questions I am asked regarding my Worm Formula and my answerers to them from my personal experience using my Worm Formula. Please make sure to read the disclaimer at the bottom of this page.

First, my own personal experience with my Worm Formulas:

In the Summer of 2002 we had a big parasite problem. NO chemical wormer was working any longer. I was going to extremes in dosing, trying all sorts of different chemical wormers and could find nothing to work. I had tried an herbal wormer a few years earlier and was unhappy with the results. As a last resort I decided to develop my own herbal worm formula, for my own herd. This worked for me. Finally.

Since I was charting new territory, I kept Ivomec on hand. I have given Ivomec a handful of times since starting my goats on my Worm Formula System, and now "trust" the Worm Formula System more than when I first started using it. i.e: a few years ago, where I may have given Ivomec, I now give an extra dose or two of Formula 1# and it works just as well for me as the chemical would have, if not better.

It was only after people started asking me what I used on my own goats that I started selling My Worm Formula System and this evolved into Molly's Herbals.

There are some goats in my herd who have never received a chemical wormer in their entire life. There are some older does who's last dose of chemical wormer was the last time I used it on my herd before I started my herbals, in the Summer of 2002. There are just a few does in my herd that have received Ivomec after I started the herbals. I still keep a bottle of Ivomec on hand, "just in case", but very rarely use it. Our buck living area is much smaller than our doe area and I keep a close eye on our bucks. If I feel they need an extra dose of Formula 1# or even a little Ivomec now and then, I will not hesitate to give it to them. The most important thing is maintain the health of our herd.

Dogs: I administered this Formula to our diabetic dog on a regular basis; she like it made into peanut butter dosage balls.

Cats: It is very hard to get cats to eat this and I do not give it to our cats very often; only if I think they really need it.

Chickens: I give our 6 chickens 1 Tbs., and what ever might be left over after administering to our goats, on the same schedule as our goats.

Humans: My husband and I use My Worm Formula as an herbal dietary supplement on the same schedule as our goat herd. I can pack a 1 Tbs. into 8 "00" sized vegetarian capsules and this is the dose we take.

Q&A:

I have miniature goats/horses, what dose should I use?

I use the full adult goat dose on our goat kids over two months old (when they reach about 30-40 pounds; an adult reaches 125 - 200 pounds). Unlike drugs, it is really hard to give too much of these herbal formulas. I have given up to 5X the suggested dose to my goats with no ill effects. I suggest starting with a 2/3 dose to full dose for adult miniatures and go from there. Trust your instincts as to what you feel is best for your own animals.

Is this effective for lungworm?

Since herbal wormers work, in part, by expelling parasites from the digestive system, I do not rely on my herbals to take care of lungworms already established in the lung. I am not totally sure the herbals will reach the parasites in the lungs. It may help, but I have not had the opportunity to study this in my own herd, so I cannot say for sure. I do know that it seems to keep lungworms from reestablishing in the lungs (it has for my herd). If you have a goat with established lungworms in their lungs (they cough after running) I usually recommend treating the infected goat with Ivomec (a chemical wormer) one time and starting on my Worm Formula. (I have not been able to study if my Worm Formula takes care of established lungworm because my goats (all on my herbals) never get lungworm anymore <smile>)

Can I give the Formula to my rabbits?

I do know of some people using the formula on rabbits with good results. I believe the starting dose to try is the cat dose. Some people make up dosage balls using rolled oats, which rabbits seem to really like.

Can I give the Formula to my ferrets?

I do know of some people using the formula on ferrets. I do not know the dose they use.

Can humans take these Formulas?

I have eaten my fair share of these Formulas. I would not give any of my herbal formulas or tinctures to an animal if I was not willing to try it myself. Also, I need to taste my formulas so that I can adjust the stevia (sweetener) to make the Formulas taste better so they will be easier to administer to animals. Formula 1# is extremely bitter and I can not say it tastes good by any means, but my goats seem to love it.

My husband and I use My Worm Formula as an herbal dietary supplement on the same schedule as our goat herd. I can pack a 1 Tbs. into 8 "00" sized vegetarian capsules and this is the dose we take.

I do know of other humans using my Worm Formula as an herbal dietary supplement. The common starting serving suggestion is 1 Tbs.. Be aware that my formulas are not considered food, and are not drugs; they are herbal dietary supplements and so are not tested or regulated by the FDA..

I have another wormwood based herbal wormer and want to switch over to yours, can I substitute this other wormer for your Formula 1# until I use it up?

Not all herbal wormers, dewormers, worm compounds or worm formulas are the same.

My Worm Formula System is totally different than any others that were on the market when I created it. The ingredients in my Formulas differ greatly from other herbal wormers that you may find. I created my Formulas for our herd because I was dissatisfied with other herbal wormers I tried. I do not suggest, or recommend, substituting any other herbal wormer for use with my Formula system. I know of one person who was trying to use up their other herbal wormer before starting mine and her herd all developed bottlejaw (severe parasite infestation). The choice is up to you.

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prevent any disease.

The
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or USDA.
We
therefore make no claims to this effect.

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